The Secret Ingredient by Sue Heath

Today, I’m really pleased to be sharing my thoughts on a beautiful book about love, grief, friendship, connection, new beginnings, and the power of sharing food. The Secret Ingredient by Sue Heath, published by One More Chapter, is on tour with Rachel’s Random Resources, and I read a gifted E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

‘A delicious story that wraps itself around your heart’ Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop

My Thoughts

What a gorgeous book! I first became aware of The Secret Ingredient when I was invited to join the cover reveal, and I knew it was a book I had to read. I’m a sucker for this kind of book anyway (healing, friendship, found family etc) and if it involves food, then it’s another boxed ticked for me!

I found the story compelling from the start (oh my gosh, that first chapter…!) and was invested in Kate’s story. I liked the way it was written from the points of view of the different characters – it really helped to get to know them and understand their backgrounds and motivations. The characters were a fabulous bunch – Charles and Mary were an inspirational couple, and Della was someone I would like to be friends with. I really felt for Kate, who had terrible guilt as well as grief. I loved the way all the characters interacted. The book is brimming with emotion and certainly pulls at the heartstrings.

There are so many elements to the story that provide interest and depth. I really enjoyed the way the characters all got to know each other and the way they each benefited from their connections. The sharing of food and recipes was an integral part of the story for all of them, and Kate’s it was really well written in a way that enhanced the narrative. The book tackles grief, death, and mourning head-on but with insight and sensitivity, and overall, we are left feeling uplifted. There’s a lot of warmth, hope, and healing, and I highly recommend it.

The blurb

She’s writing her story one recipe at a time…
It’s been three years, two weeks, and one day since Kate Shaw’s life changed forever. Three years, two weeks, and one day that Kate has been angry – with herself and life. But today is different. Different because Kate has finally taken the step she’s been avoiding…back
into the kitchen. Now, what begins as a (disastrous) attempt to make pancakes becomes a culinary journey that is not only a love letter to someone so important to her, but also an unexpected means of connection to a community she never knew she had…

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Ingredient-Zara-Stoneley-ebook/dp/B0BF96B49J/
https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-secret-ingredient-sue-heath?variant=40275147096142

Author Bio

Sue Heath lives in Cheshire, England. When she isn’t working, she can often be found running around agility courses with her spaniel, and in the evenings, she loves to cook and spend time with
family and friends. ‘The Secret Ingredient’ is an uplifting story that explores how a sense of community, sharing, friendship, love, and a feeling of belonging can help us make sense of life, find comfort, and heal. How we can find our happiness in ordinary things.
Sue has also written fourteen USA Today bestselling romcoms under the pseudonym Zara Stoneley and has sold over half a million copies of her stories worldwide. You can find out more about Sue on her website.

Social Media Links
Website: http://www.sueheath.com
Twitter: @ZaraStoneley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zarastoneley/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sue-Heath/author/B0CBVHB8T5